Quick-release fastening device for a dispersion mixing machine



NOV. 6, K. FREI QUICK-RELEASE FASTENING DEVICE FOR A DISPERSION MIXING MACHINE Filed Jan. 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A iialillllinlln! INVENTOR. KARL FREI ATTORNEYS Nov. 6, 1962 K. FREI 3,062,575

QUICK-RELEASE FASTENING DEVICE FOR A DISPERSION MIXING MACHINE Filed Jan. 20, 1960 2 Sheefs-Sheet 2 33% 41 N 6 J 40 3 4.411 (4; M

FIG. 3 FIG. 5

l i 50 L J INVENTOR. M FIG 6 KARL FRE.

HMW

ATTORNEYS United States Patent QUICK-RELEASE FASTENING DEVICE FOR A DISPERSION MIXING MACHINE Karl Frei, Esslingen-Oberesslinger, Germany, assignor to Werner & Pfleiderer, Stuttgart-Feuerbach, Germany, a company of Germany Filed Jan. 20, 1960, Ser. No. 3,608

4 Claims. (Cl. 292-25673) The present invention relates to a quick-release fastening device for mixing machines for mixing dispersions of latex and plastics, and more particularly to a quick-release fastening device for dispersion mixing machines in which a mixing vessel including an agitator is mounted tiltable about a transverse axis and a cover or lid for the vessel is pivotally mounted separate from the mixing vessel for independent pivoting into and out of a position closing the vessel.

With mixing machines of this kind the cover is usually secured to the vessel by a number of fasteners circumferentially spaced about and in engagement with the rims of the cover and the vessel. Normal operation requirements make it necessary to open and close the cover several times each day a machine is used. Accordingly, it is essential that the fasteners can be quickly and conveniently operated.

It is the broad object of the invention to provide a novel and improved fastening device for dispersion mixing machines of the general kind above referred to, which fastening device can be quickly and conveniently locked and unlocked.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved fastening device which when placed in the unlocked position positively and automatically adjusts itself to a position in which it is ready for locking, thereby eliminating the need for a check whether the components of the fastener are in the proper position for locking.

Another more specific object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved fastening device which when loosened for unlocking automatically snaps into a fully unlocked position, thus effecting a rapid release of the cover.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and set forth in the appended claims forming part of the application.

In the accompanying drawing a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view, partly in section, of a mixing machine equipped with quick-release fasteners according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational enlarged view, partly in section, of a quick-release fastener as used in the machine of FIG. 1, the fastener being shown in its locked position.

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the fastener in its released position, and

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the figures in detail, the mixing machine as exemplified, comprises a mixing vessel 10 open at the top. In the lower part of the vessel, implements are mounted for mixing and otherwise working a charge with which vessel 10 is loaded. The implements may be of any suitable and conventional kind. They are shown by way of example as two agitator rolls 11 and 12. The two rolls are rotatably supported in vessel 10 by means of trunnions 13 and 14- journalled in bearing sleeves 15 and 16 extending from the wall of vessel 10. The agitators should be visualized as being driven by suitable drive means not shown here as they do not constitute part of the invention.

The vessel is supported in a frame 17 in which it is tiltable from the upright position shown in FIG. 1 in full lines into the tilted positon shown in dotted lines. The full line position is the position for loading the vessel and mixing the charge therein, and the dotted line position is the position for discharging the finished charge. To effect tilting of the vessel, bearing sleeve 16 is pivotal in a bearing 18 formed in machine frame 17. As is evident from FIGS. 1 and 2, the entire vessel can be freely tilted about trunnion 14. An adjustable lug 19 upon which bearing 15 abuts in the upright position of the vessel permits adjustment of the operational position of the vessel. In this connection it should be mentioned that the term upright is not limited to an accurately perpendicular position of vessel 10, but a slight slant may be desirable and such slant may be set by means of lug 19.

The vessel may be moved either into its upright or into its tilted position by means of a hydraulically or pneumatically operated pressure cylinder 20.

The vessel is closed by means of a lid 21 which also serves as support and mount for the pressure plunger. The pressure plunger comprises a pressure plate 22 which has preferably the curved configuration shown in FIG. 1 and a rod 23. The cod mounts a piston 24 slidable in a cylinder 25. Cylinder 25 and piston 24 should be visualized as a hydraulically or pneumatically operated drive means of conventional design which serves to press the plunger into the vessel and to raise it after completion of a mixing operation. guided in its up and down movements by guide rods 26.

The lid 21 and the entire plunger assembly supported thereon are tiltable and for this purpose are mounted pivotal about a pivot 30 which in turn is mounted in an upright or turret 17 rising from the lower part of machine frame 17. Lid 21 is linked to pivot 30 by means of a two-arm lever 34. One arm of this lever is secured to the lid and the other to a hydraulically or pneumatically operated pressure cylinder 31 which in turn is pivoted to frame 17 at 32. of the plunger assembly-lid unit is located at the side of the vessel so that when the lid together with the plunger assembly is tilted from the full line position of FIG. 1.

into the dotted line position, the open top of vessel 10 is clear and the vessel can be conveniently charged by top' loading.

Lid 21 is secured to vessel 10 by quick-release fasteners generally designated by 35. Several circumferentially,

spaced fasteners are preferably provided. The exemplified machine has four fasteners, two of which are visible. Various suitable designs of quick-release fasteners are known. The fastener design as illustrated comprises a bolt 36 terminating on one end in a so-called hammer-head head 37 and having a threaded portion 38 at its opposite end. Vessel 10 and lid 21 are each formed with flanges 39 and 40 respectively and each of these flanges is provided'with peripheral cut-outs 41 and 42 respectively, one pair of cut-outs being provided for each fastener. The cut-outs in the two flanges can be brought into registry as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 to form a continuous passage for the respective bolt 36. There is further provided for each bolt a tubular sleeve 43 on lid 21 1 into which the bolt is inserted from below. A nut 44 44. The upper part of sleeve 43 is formed with an- Patented Nov. 6, 1962,

The plunger 2223 is- As is apparent, the pivot axis" inner widened portion 47 in which is fitted a loaded spring 48 abutting with one end against the base of the widened portion 47 and with the other end against nut 44 thereby urging the bolt upwardly.

The lower part of sleeve 43 has an internal rectangw la-r cross-section matching the peripheral outline of hammerhead, 37 as shown in FIG. 6. The hammerhead extends between two guide lugs 49 and 50 respectively depending from flange 39 of vessel 10. Lug 49 is formed with an abutment portion 49 with which bolt head 37 coacts as will now be described.

Let it be assumed that the fastener is in the locked position of FIG. 3. As is evident, flange 40 of the lid will then be held against flange 39 of the vessel by the pressure of head 37 and the head will occupy the position of FIG. 4, or any rotational position other than the position of FIG. 6. When it is now desired to loosen the fastener, nut 44 is turned in counter-clockwise direction. Bolt 36 may or may not immediately participate in such rotation, but it will positively participate as soon as nut 44 has reached the position of FIG. 5 in which it presses against pin 46. As a result of the rotation of bolt 36, head 37 will turn until it is stopped in the position of FIG. 6 by engagement with abutment 49', in which position the head is aligned with cut-outs 41 and 42 and also with the rectangular portion in the lower part of.

sleeve 43. Loaded spring 48 can now become effective and will snap bolt 36 from the position of FIG. 3 into the position of FIG. 5 in which head 37 is clear of flange 39 so that the lid can now be tilted by means of pressure cylinder 31 as. previously described. To lock the fastener, bolt 36 is depressed against the action of spring 48 and is then turned to move head 37 into the locked position of FIG. 3. Finally, nut 44 is tightened.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to a certain now preferred example and embodiment of the invention it will be understood by those skilled. in the. art after understanding the invention, that various; changes and modifications may be made with out. departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and. modifications in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A quick-release. fastening device for a mixing device. for mixing dispersions of the kind wherein a mixing vessel including agitating means is mounted tiltable about a; transverse axis. and a cover for said vessel is pivotally mounted separate from said vessel for independent pivoting into and out of a positionv closing said. vessel, said cover. supporting pressure means. for applying a downward pressure. upon dispersions tobe mixed in the vessel.

by said agitating means, said mixing device comprising a mixing vessel having at its rim facing the cover a peripheral outwardly protruding flange, said cover having at. its rim facing the vessel a peripheral outwardly protruding flange, said flanges abutting upon each other in theclosed position of the cover and including each at least one peripheral slot, said slots being positioned to be inalignment in the closed position of the cover, said fastening device including a guide sleeve secured upon the cover flange in alignment with the slot thereof, a locking bolt rotatably and slidably guided in said sleeve, said bolt having a threaded portion at one end protruding from the upper rim of the sleeve and at the other end an enlarged head fitting through said slots and the peripheral outline of the sleeve in a first rotational position of the bolt and underlying the vessel flange in a second rotational position of the bolt, spring means urging the bolt into a longitudinal position in the sleeve in which the head of the bolt is withdrawn from the vessel. slot, a nut threaded upon the protruding threaded. portion of the bolt and fittable upon the rim of the sleeve, turning of said nut jointly with the bolt rotating the latter from one rotational position into the other and turning of the g,

nut in reference to the bolt and to a position pressing the nut against the sleeve rim tightening the bolt head when in its position underlying the vessel flange whereby upon placement and tightening of the bolt in said second rotational position the cover is locked to the vessel and upon placement of the bolt in said first rotational position the bolt head is withdrawn from the vessel slot by the action of said spring means and the cover is unlocked, and a stop member transversely extending through the threaded portion of the bolt engageable in pressure engagement with said nut to effect joint turning of the nut and the bolt for moving the latter into said second rotational position.

2. A quick-release fastening device for a mixing device for mixing dispersions of the kind wherein a mixing vessel including agitating means is mounted tiltable about a transverse axis and a cover for said vessel is pivotally mounted separated from said vessel for independent pivoting into and out of a position closing said vessel, said cover supporting pressure means for applying a downward pressure upon dispersions to be mixed in the vessel by said agitating means, said mixing device comprising a mixing vessel having at its rim facing the cover a peripheral outwardly protruding flange, said cover having at its rim facing the vessel a peripheral outwardly protruding flange, said. flanges abutting upon each other in the closed position of the cover and including each at least one peripheral slot, said slots being positioned to be in alignment in the closed position of the cover, said fastening device including a guide sleeve secured upon the cover flange in alignment with the slot thereof, a locking bolt rotatably and slidably guided in said sleve, said bolt having a threaded portion at one end protruding from the upper rim of the sleeve and at the other end an enlarged head fitting through said slots and the peripheral outline of the sleeve in a first rotational position of the bolt and underlying the vessel flange in a second rotational position of the bolt, spring means urging the bolt into a longitudinal position in the sleeve in which the head of the bolt is withdrawn from the vessel slot, a nut threaded upon the protruding threaded portion of the bolt and fittable upon the rim of the sleeve, turning of the nut jointly with the bolt rotating the latter from one. rotational position into the other and turning of the nut in reference. to the bolt and into a position pressing the nut against the sleeve. rim tightening the bolt head when in its position underlying the vessel flange said vessel flange having a depending stopmember protruding into the rotational path of the. enlarged bolt head in its position underlying the vessel flange to limit joint turning of the bolt and the nut and said threaded bolt portion having a stop member at the upper end of the threaded bolt portion to limit turning of the nut in reference to the bolt and causing joint turning of the nut and bolt within the limits provided. by said depending stop member whereby upon placement and. tightening ofthe bolt in said second rotational position the cover is locked to the vessel and upon placementof the bolt in said first rotational position the, bolt head. is withdrawn from the vessel slot by action of the spring means and the cover is released.

3. A fastening device according to claim 2 wherein said guide sleeve has a lower part the inner peripheral outline of which matches the enlarged bolt head and an internal enlarged upper part accommodating a coiled spring abutting against said nut and a shoulder formed in the sleeve between said two parts thereof.

4. A. quick-release fastening device for a mixing device for mixing dispersions of the kind wherein a mixing vessel including agitating means is mounted tiltable about a transverse axis and a cover for said vessel is pivotally mounted separate. from said vessel for independent.

prising a mixing vessel having at its rim facing the cover a peripheral outwardly protruding flange, said cover having at its rim facing the vessel a peripheral outwardly protruding flange, said flanges abutting upon each other in the closed position of the cover and including each at least one peripheral slot, said slots being positioned to be in alignment in the closed position of the cover, said fastening device including a guide sleeve secured upon the cover flange in alignment with the slot thereof, a locking bolt rotatably and slidably guided in said sleeve, said bolt having at one end an enlarged head of a maximum width in excess of that of the bolt and fitting through said slots and the inner peripheral outline of the sleeve in a first rotational position of the bolt and underlying the vessel flange in a second rotational position of the bolt, actuating means coupled to the other end of said bolt for rotating the same from one of said rotational positions into the other and for lengthwise displacement of the bolt to tighten the bolt head in its position underlying the vessel flange, and coil spring means encompassing the bolt, one end of the spring means abutting against said actuating means and the other end abutting against said sleeve, said spring means urging the bolt into a lengthwise position in the sleeve in which the head of the bolt is withdrawn from the vessel slot, whereby upon placement and tightening of the bolt in the said second rotational position the cover is locked to the vessel by the action of said actuating means and upon placement of the bolt in said first rotational position the bolt head is withdrawn from the vessel slot by the action of said spring means and the cover is released.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 100,505 Cook Mar. 8, 1870 335,092 Robinson Jan. 26, 1886 452,776 Doty May 26, 1891 1,047,588 Stull Dec. 17, 1912 1,457,343 Bowen June 5, 1923 2,020,188 Johnson Nov. 5, 1935 2,133,170 Johnson Oct. 11, 1938 2,283,304 Williams May 19, 1942 2,772,906 Esmond Dec. 4, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS W-1047l German published application Nov. 29, 1956 529,370 Great Britain Nov. 20, 1940 

